Wayne County BioBlitz June 28th - 29th

On June 28-29, PNPS President Jean Najjar and members Sarah Chamberlain and Mark Bowers participated in the first Upper Delaware Bioblitz. A Bioblitz, as its name implies, is an attempt to identify all the organisms in a specified area within a 24-hour period. In this case, the place was a property recently purchased by the Norcross Wildlife Foundation along the West Branch of the Delaware River. Sarah and Mark along with Ann Rhoads made up the Botany Team while Jean organized various demonstrations and walks that were offered to the public. The Pennsylvania Native Plant Society was one of several sponsors for the 2-day event. At the close of the second day, the Botany Team had identified 267 species, 29 of which were first recorded occurrences in Wayne County. It’s hard to describe the exhilaration of being a part of an effort that brought together over 50 scientists and amateur naturalists from across Pennsylvania and New York to this tiny property along the Delaware. But, suffice it to say, those of us who participated not only wholeheartedly enjoyed the experience, but also learned a lot about the birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects and other organisms that inhabit the Upper Delaware River basin. For more information on the Upper Delaware River Bioblitz, visit http://upperdelawarebioblitz.com/ or check out their Facebook page.